Closure with vertical tear bands

ABSTRACT

The invention generally relates to a closure that has a cover and an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover. A plurality of vertical strips are formed in the annular first skirt. At least a vertical tear band is located between some or all of the vertical strips. Each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together.

PARENT CASE TEXT

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e)(1) to provisional patent application No. 60/787,871, filed Mar. 31, 2006, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a closure and, more particularly, to a closure with vertical tear bands.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A closure is usually coupled to the neck of a container that has certain contents contained therein such as liquid, for example. The closure is used for closing an open end of the container that is typically placed in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface.

A problem exists with certain prior art closures that have a horizontal pilfer or tear band that is frangible. An individual can pry off the closure from a container with a screwdriver, mechanical object or the like without breaking the horizontal tear band. Once the closure has been pried off, contaminants may be placed within the container. With the contaminants introduced in the container, the closure is then snapped onto an open end of the container.

Accordingly, there is room for improvement in such closures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a closure with vertical strips that would visually demonstrate that the closure had been tampered with and that the contents of the container should not be consumed due to the risk of possible contamination.

This object of the invention is achieved by providing a closure that has a cover and an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover. A plurality of vertical strips are formed in the annular first skirt. At least a vertical tear band is located between some or all of the vertical strips. Each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a closure of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a closure of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a closure of the invention shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “axial”, “top”, “bottom”, “aft”, “behind”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing FIGS. or as it is oriented when coupled to a container resting upright on a flat horizontal surface. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative configurations when the invention is moved about or the container is resting in a non-upright position. It is also to be understood that the specific elements illustrated in the FIGS. and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting.

As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or to an integer greater than one (i. e., a plurality). As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “attached”, “connected”, “coupled”, or “engaged” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts.

Turning to FIGS. 1-3, a closure 10 of the invention is shown. The closure 10 is typically used for closing an open end of a container 12 that has certain contents contained therein such as liquid, for example. The closure 10 has a round shaped cover 14. An annular first skirt 16 is integrally coupled to the cover 14 that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover 14. The first skirt 16 is structured to be coupled to an outer diameter of an open end of a neck 18 of the container 12.

With reference to FIG. 1, the first skirt 16 has a tab 20 coupled thereto which is coupled to a frangible band 22 formed in the first skirt 16. The frangible band 22 is structured to be broken by applying a pulling force on the tab 20 which facilitates removal of the closure 10 from the neck 18 of the container 12. The frangible band 22 has a horizontal portion 24 extending along the first skirt 16 which is structured to be broken a certain length of the entire circumference of the first skirt 16 by applying a pulling force on the tab 20.

The internal surface of the cover 12 may be provided with an annular second skirt 26 that is integrally coupled to the cover 14 that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover 14 in a coaxial relationship with the first skirt 16. The second skirt 26 extends in the same direction as the first skirt 16. The second skirt 26 is structured to engage an inner diameter of the open end of the neck 18 of the container 12 and the first skirt 16 is structured to engage an outer diameter of the open end of the neck 18 of the container 12.

The internal surface of the first skirt 16 may be provided with a number of ribs 28, 30. The ribs 28, 30 provided on the internal surface of the first skirt 16 are structured to couple the first skirt 16 with the outer diameter of the neck 18 of the container 12 in order to provide liquid tightness of the closure 10 with the container 12 and maintain hygienic properties of the container 12.

The external surface of the cover 14 of the closure 10 may also be provided with a dimple 32 that is generally located in the center of the cover 14. With reference to FIG. 1, the closure 10 may also have a number of vertical strips 34 formed in the first skirt 16. Some or all of the vertical strips 34 are coupled to adjacent vertical tamper strips 34 by a number of vertical tear bands 36 which are a thin web of material. Vertical tear bands 36 typically do not intersect horizontal portion 24. Alternatively, vertical tear bands 36 could intersect horizontal portion 24 in certain embodiments.

If someone were to attempt to pry off the closure 10 from the container 12 with a screwdriver, mechanical object or the like in an effort to introduce contaminants into the container 12 without damaging the first skirt 16, the number of vertical tear bands 36 between adjacent vertical strips 34 would fracture and a number of vertical strips 34 would separate from the container 12 due to the force applied to the first skirt 16 from the mechanical object used to pry off the closure 10. The separation of a number of vertical strips 34 from the container 12 would visually demonstrate that the closure 10 had been tampered with and that the contents of the container 12 should not be consumed due to the risk of possible contamination.

Rib 28 is associated with a vertical strip 34. Some or all of the vertical strips 34 has a rib 28 coupled thereto. As mentioned above, the rib 28 is structured to engage the first skirt with the neck 18 of the container 12. A lower surface 38 of the rib 28 extends at an angle, θ₁ with respect to an axis 40 that extends along an axial length of the closure 10. θ₁ has a value of about 25 degrees, but may have a value from about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees. θ₁ may also have a value that encompasses any range that falls within the range from about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees. An upper surface 42 of the rib 28 extends at an angle, θ₂ with respect to the axis 40. θ₂ has a value of about 70 degrees, but may have a value from about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees. θ₂ may also have a value that encompasses any range that falls within the range from about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees. A lower surface 44 of the rib 30 extends at an angle, θ₃ with respect to the axis 40. θ₃ has a value of about 18 degrees, but may have a value from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees. θ₃ may also have a value that encompasses any range that falls within the range from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.

The second skirt 26 extends downwardly from the cover 14 and terminates at a lower end in a generally tapered surface 46. A portion of a first wall 48 of the first skirt 16 is located in opposed relation to a second wall 50 of the second skirt 26. A recess 52 is defined between the opposed walls 48, 50. The recess 52 is structured to receive an open end of the container 12 and seal the container 12 in order to provide liquid tightness of the closure 10 with the container 12 and maintain hygienic properties of the container 12. Once the frangible band 22 has been broken by applying a pulling force on the tab 20, the closure 10 can be removed from the container 12. The contents of the container 12 can then be dispensed. If any contents remain in the container 12, the closure 10 may be coupled to the container 12 by inserting the open end of the container 12 into the recess 52 and reseal the container 12.

The first wall 48 of the first skirt 16 is defined by an upper cylindrical portion 54 extending downwardly from the cover 14 that is coupled to the rib 30 which is coupled to a middle cylindrical portion 56. The middle cylindrical portion 56 is coupled to the rib 28. The rib 28 is coupled to a lower cylindrical portion 58. The lower surface 38 of the rib 28 extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower cylindrical portion 58 at the angle, θ₁ with respect to the axis 40. The lower surface 38 terminates in a rounded portion 60. The rib 28 has an upper surface 42 that extends upwardly and outwardly from the rounded portion 60 at the angle, θ₂ with respect to the axis 40. The upper surface 42 terminates at the middle cylindrical portion 56.

The lower surface 44 of the rib 30 extends upwardly and inwardly from the middle cylindrical portion 56 at the angle, θ₃ with respect to the axis 40. The lower surface 44 terminates in a rounded portion 62. The rib 30 has an upper surface 64 that extends upwardly and outwardly from the rounded portion 62 at a preselected angle. The upper surface 64 terminates at the upper cylindrical portion 54.

The second wall 50 of the second skirt 26 is defined by an upper cylindrical portion 66 extending downwardly from the cover 14. The upper cylindrical portion 66 is coupled to the tapered surface 46. The tapered surface 46 tapers inwardly at a preselected angle from the axis 40 and from the upper cylindrical portion 66. The tapered surface 46 terminates at a flat horizontal surface 68.

The entire closure 10 including the cover 12, the first skirt 16 and the second skirt 26 and all the other elements that are components of such elements are molded in one single piece, without having to add additional components by welding, gluing or other combination of pieces. The one-piece closure 10 mold also allows the closure 10 to be manufactured in any desired color, which is not practically possible when the closure 10 is made of several pieces of plastic material that must be assembled by welding, gluing or by any other means.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended hereto and any and all equivalents thereto. 

1. A closure comprising: a cover; an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover; a plurality of vertical strips formed in the annular first skirt; and at least a vertical tear band located between some or all of the vertical strips, wherein each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together.
 2. The closure of claim 1 further comprising: a tab coupled to the first skirt; and a frangible band coupled to the tab, wherein the frangible band is formed in the first skirt, and wherein the frangible band is structured to be broken by applying a force on the tab.
 3. The closure of claim 2 wherein the frangible band has a horizontal portion extending along the first skirt.
 4. The closure of claim 1 further comprising an annular second skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover in a coaxial relationship with the first skirt.
 5. The closure of claim 1 wherein an internal surface of the first skirt has a number of ribs that are structured to couple the first skirt with an outer diameter of a neck of a container.
 6. The closure of claim 1 wherein each of the vertical strips has a rib coupled thereto.
 7. The closure of claim 1 wherein an external surface of the cover has a dimple.
 8. The closure of claim 6 wherein the rib has a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface extends at an angle, θ₁ with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure, wherein the upper surface extends at an angle, θ₂ with respect to the axis, wherein θ₁ has a value from about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees, and wherein θ₂ has a value from about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees.
 9. The closure of claim 5 wherein one of the number of ribs has a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface extends at an angle, θ₃ with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure, wherein the upper surface extends at a preselected angle with respect to the axis, and wherein θ₃ has a value from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.
 10. The closure of claim 4 wherein the second skirt terminates at a lower end in a generally tapered surface.
 11. The closure of claim 4 wherein the first skirt has a first wall, wherein the second skirt has a second wall, wherein a portion of the first wall is located in opposed relation to the second wall, wherein a recess is defined between the first wall and the second wall, and wherein the recess is structured to receive an open end of a container and seal the container.
 12. The closure of claim 4 wherein the first skirt has a first wall that has an upper cylindrical portion extending downwardly from the cover that is coupled to a rib, wherein the rib is coupled to a middle cylindrical portion, wherein the middle cylindrical portion is coupled to another rib, and wherein the another rib is coupled to a lower cylindrical portion.
 13. The closure of claim 12 wherein the another rib has a lower surface that extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower cylindrical portion at an angle, θ₁ with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure, wherein the lower surface terminates in a rounded portion, and wherein the rib has an upper surface that extends upwardly and outwardly from the rounded portion at an angle, θ₂ with respect to the axis, and wherein the upper surface terminates at the middle cylindrical portion.
 14. The closure of claim 12 wherein the rib has a lower surface that extends upwardly and inwardly from the middle cylindrical portion at an angle, θ₃ with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure, wherein the lower surface terminates in a rounded portion, and wherein the rib has an upper surface that extends upwardly and outwardly from the rounded portion at a preselected angle with respect to the axis, and wherein the upper surface terminates at the upper cylindrical portion.
 15. The closure of claim 10 wherein the second skirt has an upper cylindrical portion that is coupled to the generally tapered surface.
 16. The closure of claim 15 wherein the generally tapered surface tapers inwardly at a preselected angle from the upper cylindrical portion, and wherein the generally tapered surface terminates at a generally flat horizontal surface.
 17. The closure of claim 1 wherein the closure is manufactured in a single piece.
 18. The closure of claim 1 in combination with a container.
 19. A closure in combination with a container, the combination comprising: a cover; an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover; a plurality of vertical strips formed in the annular first skirt; and at least a vertical tear band located between some or all of the vertical strips, wherein each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together, and wherein the first skirt is structured to be coupled to an outer diameter of an open end of a neck of the container. 